The visually stunning "Gravity" was the big winner at the Academy Awards Sunday night, picking up ---- awards, including best picture and a best director award for Alfonso Cuaron. The 3-D film, set in outer space, also won a host of awards in the technical categories. less

The visually stunning "Gravity" was the big winner at the Academy Awards Sunday night, picking up ---- awards, including best picture and a best director award for Alfonso Cuaron. The 3-D film, set in outer ... more

"12 Years a Slave," British director Steve McQueen's groundbreaking, fact-based saga of a free man who was entrapped and enslaved, won best picture at Sunday night's Academy Awards celebration. It was the evening's big winner, picking up best director and ---- less

"12 Years a Slave," British director Steve McQueen's groundbreaking, fact-based saga of a free man who was entrapped and enslaved, won best picture at Sunday night's Academy Awards celebration. It was the ... more

"American Hustle," writer-director David O. Russell's fantasia on the '70s, Abscam and American ambition, was the unexpected big winner at Sunday night's Academy Awards, picking up --- awards, including best picture, ----, and ---. less

"American Hustle," writer-director David O. Russell's fantasia on the '70s, Abscam and American ambition, was the unexpected big winner at Sunday night's Academy Awards, picking up --- awards, including best ... more

In a jawdropping upset sure to keep Oscar enthusiasts talking for years, "The Wolf of Wall Street," Martin Scorsese's profane and caustic fact-based comedy about the life and career of a ruthless Wall Street predator, was the unexpected big winner Sunday night, picking up ---- awards, including best picture, ---- and -----. s less

In a jawdropping upset sure to keep Oscar enthusiasts talking for years, "The Wolf of Wall Street," Martin Scorsese's profane and caustic fact-based comedy about the life and career of a ruthless Wall Street ... more

Matthew McConaughey -- no surprise -- won best actor, having picked up a batch of critics and industry awards on his way to Sunday night's ceremony. In the kind of transformation the Academy favors, McConaughey lost over 40 pounds to play real-life AIDS victim and activist Ron Woodroof in "Dallas Buyers Club." In accepting the award, McConaughey had his colleagues in stitches, with a long, eccentric colloquy on ---- and on the nature of ------ . The victory confirmed the actor's rise to prominence and artistic significance in just the last few years.
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY less

Matthew McConaughey -- no surprise -- won best actor, having picked up a batch of critics and industry awards on his way to Sunday night's ceremony. In the kind of transformation the Academy favors, McConaughey ... more

Leonardo DiCaprio won best actor, in an upset victory over frontrunner Matthew McConaughey. DiCaprio's triumph, for his performance as a predatory Wall Street trader in "The Wolf of Wall Street," is notable in that it marks one of the first times in Oscar history in which an actor, playing a role very much like an apotheosis of his previous work, beat out an actor who'd undergone a chameleonic transformation. This is a welcome change. Thanking the Academy, an exhilarated DiCaprio acknowledged ----- and thanked ------ . less

Leonardo DiCaprio won best actor, in an upset victory over frontrunner Matthew McConaughey. DiCaprio's triumph, for his performance as a predatory Wall Street trader in "The Wolf of Wall Street," is notable in ... more

Meryl Streep won best actress last night for her performance in "August: Osage County." This was moments before a unicorn stampede trampled many in the auditorium.

Meryl Streep won best actress last night for her performance in "August: Osage County." This was moments before a unicorn stampede trampled many in the auditorium.

Photo: Julien M. Hekimian, Getty Images

Meryl Streep won best actress last night for her performance in... Photo-5962182.81069 - Houston Chronicle

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In what was regarded going in as the night's only sure thing, Cate Blanchett won best actress, for her remarkable performance in "Blue Jasmine," playing a rich woman who has lost her money and is well on the way to losing her mind. In accepting the award, the witty Australian actress acknowledged ---- and joked, " ------ less

In what was regarded going in as the night's only sure thing, Cate Blanchett won best actress, for her remarkable performance in "Blue Jasmine," playing a rich woman who has lost her money and is well on the ... more

Photo: Niki Nikolova

In what was regarded going in as the night's only sure thing,... Photo-5962183.81069 - Houston Chronicle

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.81069 - Houston Chronicle

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Chiwetel Ejiofor won best actor for his physically grueling, psychologically searing performance as the victim of abduction and slavery in "12 Years a Slave."

Chiwetel Ejiofor won best actor for his physically grueling, psychologically searing performance as the victim of abduction and slavery in "12 Years a Slave."

Photo: Niki Nikolova

Chiwetel Ejiofor won best actor for his physically grueling,... Photo-5962184.81069 - Houston Chronicle

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Jennifer Lawrence won supporting actress for her role as the trashy wife of a New York con man in "American Hustle." It was her second consecutive Oscar -- she won best actress last year for "Silver Linings Playbook," working with the same director. This might be the first time in Oscar history in which an actor has won back to back Oscars for films by the same director. less

Jennifer Lawrence won supporting actress for her role as the trashy wife of a New York con man in "American Hustle." It was her second consecutive Oscar -- she won best actress last year for "Silver Linings ... more

Photo: Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Jennifer Lawrence won supporting actress for her role as the trashy... Photo-5962185.81069 - Houston Chronicle

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Lupita Nyong'o won best actress for experiencing the depths of hell as an abused slave in Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave."

Lupita Nyong'o won best actress for experiencing the depths of hell as an abused slave in Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave."

"12 Years a Slave," British director Steve McQueen's groundbreaking, fact-based saga of a free man who was entrapped and enslaved, won best picture at Sunday night's Academy Awards celebration. In a split decision,
best director was won by Alfonso Cuaron, the creator of "Gravity." less

"12 Years a Slave," British director Steve McQueen's groundbreaking, fact-based saga of a free man who was entrapped and enslaved, won best picture at Sunday night's Academy Awards celebration. In a split ... more